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WATCH: Sri Lanka sinks to new low after registering their biggest Test match loss against Australia by an innings and 242 runs

Sri Lankan cricket team register their biggest loss in Test matches as they were soundly thrashed by Australia with a margin of an innings and 242 runs during Galle Test

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Sri Lanka register their biggest loss in Test cricket by an innings and 242 runs in Galle

Sri Lanka Photograph: (X)

Defending World Test Championship holders Australia won the first match in Galle by an innings and 242 against Sri Lanka. The victory was achieved just before Tea on day four of the game. This was the biggest ever Test loss for Sri Lanka, eclipsing their previous record of losing by an innings and 239 runs against India in 2017 at Nagpur. 

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It took Australian bowlers just over 10 overs to bowl out the hosts for 165 runs in their first innings of the game. Dinesh Chandimal was the best batter for the hosts with 72 runs, while Matthew Kuhnemann picked up five wickets for 63 runs from his 18.2 overs. After asking Sri Lanka to follow-on, Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy removed the opening batters inside the first four overs. 

Former captains and veteran batters Chandimal and Angelo Mathews then added 69 runs for the third wicket. Nathan Lyon scripted history when he dismissed Chandimal twice inside a single session. Sri Lanka had lost three wickets before both sides walked back to the hut for lunch. 

Australian spinners hand Sri Lanka their biggest loss in Test cricket 

Kamindu Mendis came out to bat with aggressive intent and scored 32 runs off 26 balls. The left-handed batter hit Kuhnemann for a huge six but was out caught by Starc in the next ball when he tried to repeat the shot. Angelo Mathews was out four balls later for 41 runs caught by Travis Head off Nathan Lyon. 

Dhananjaya De Silva (39) and Kusal Mendis (34) gave the home something to cheer about with their 65-run stand for the sixth wicket. Kuhnemann and Lyon dismissed both batters but Jeffrey Vandersay swung his bat around to delay the inevitable loss. Vandersay was out for 53 off 47 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Kuhnemann dismissed Vandersay to signal the end of the game and ended with a match haul of nine wickets. 

Australian skipper Steve Smith was a happy camper at the end of the game, as he said, “Thought we started the game beautifully. Travis and Usman set it up nicely. Usman was fantastic, the way he batted and put pressure on the bowlers. To get 650, it allowed us to bowl twice. Starc did well and the spinners did well as well.”

Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya De Silva said, “The wicket wasn't hard, the offball was turning, and the batters should put their hands up, make big runs and bat well under pressure. We had our chances in the field but we didn't take them.”

Steve Smith Nathan Lyon
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